Comet Crash (PS3)

The Playstation network has been thriving recently with many a good title on the download list. Tower Defense games have been proving their popularity with gaes such as PixelJunk Monsters becoming huge selling titles. Comet Crash is slightly different because it mixes in the novel concept of being able to take the fight to the enemy!

The gameplay of Comet Crash is pure simplicity with a somewhat standardised unit mechanic in place. There are around a total of 30 stages and all the units are well utilized throughout the levels allowing steady progression and every level has a hint in place. Although these hints are not always an obvious description on how to win, even the most basic strategy will help beginners because some levels can be turtle defense until you amass a big enough army to send to the enemy base.

The sheer amount of units you can send in is amazing. By merely spending some money to create a factory you can send in a steady stream of scouts. Scouts are great for infiltration but are obviously not that great at taking damage. Factories can be upgraded to allow for more advanced units, such as tanks (which are much tougher and can take substantially more damage before being destroyed) and there are even more advanced factories which can build airborne units.

Your units only operate under direct order, so they don’t attack until you tell them to, there is no sophisticated and deep artificial intelligence in place, they merely sit inside your home base until you tell them to move or attack. When you are ready you direct them with your right analog stick and a stream emerges from your base. They follow the most obvious course once they get out (as will the enemy) which opens up some interesting strategic ways of dealing with oncoming units. You can set up turrets in defensive layouts which will do the most damage to enemy vehicles as they have longer to travel. You always need to leave one route open to them but it is always advisable to close as many paths as possible so they have to trickle down your chosen (and well defended) path. Interestingly, the game also introduces a system of one way gates which lets your forces through, but repel the enemy forces.

The game introduces a new enemy unit or technique every level and you simply work out the appropriate counter measure to deal with it. if you are successful then you unlock it for yourself at the end of the mission for use in the coming battle which is a simple but effective system. Comet Crash stands out from the hordes of Tower Defense games because it really does offer an additional layer of strategy because you need to learn to attack as well as merely defend.

Developer Pelfast have clearly spent considerable time balancing the gameplay and making everything work very well together. Every offensive option has a counterpart unit which is good at defending against it and some can even turn the invaders into your allies which can be sent right back at the enemy base. This allows for opportunities to completely reverse the tide of battle and keeps everything from feeling like a continual fight to simply create the most units for victory.

The game also has a controlled set of both generalised and specialised towers which means that a focal point is on proper budgeting and management of positions, since turrets can be placed anywhere there is enough open space to allow the enemy through.

There is one resource to collect in Comet Crash – money… this is released by destroying asteriods. Upgrades to your ships built in tractor beam can help suck in resources that would normally be left floating around the environment. If you are not building or upgrading a unit then you are best grabbing asteroids with the R2 button and moving them near your turrets to collect the cash inside. Because the ship is important to your survival you need to be sure that incoming fire doesn’t destroy it – additionally it can be repaired by hovering over the base.

Graphically Comet Crash is nothing out of the ordinary but it certainly isn’t an ugly game and the massive number of units on screen is very impressive, there can be literally hundreds at any time. When there are four players all sending hundreds of units into battle it is impressive to see the Playstation 3 coping with no slowdown at all.

Comet Crash brings something new to the table, because it is the first tower defense game in which you can go on the offensive. The game mechanic and interface is solid and there are no glaring bugs to ruin the gameplay. When you consider that 3 people made this game then it really is even more impressive and it is really worth the minor investment as it is an addictive and enjoyable experience.

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